WBU cross country hopes to regain top at conference meet

By SUMMER MORGAN Wayland Baptist University

Published 8:58 am, Friday, November 2, 2012

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WBU cross country hopes to regain top at conference meet

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After coming off a spectacular second-place men’s team showing at the NAIA Mid-States Classic in Kansas two weeks ago, the No. 9-ranked Wayland Baptist cross country team is ready to run this weekend at the Sooner Athletic Conference Championships on Saturday in Shawnee, Okla.

The men’s squad captured the conference title in 2010 and the women’s team has won the meet four out of the last five years, so sitting in that top spot is a place where the Pioneers feel quite comfortable. If all goes right, head coach Brian Whitlock believes his men have a good chance to reclaim that position.

The conference meet is being hosted by fourth-ranked Oklahoma Baptist, a team that will give the Pioneers a run for their money. Conference rival No. 18 Lubbock Christian, which moved into the NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll last week for the first time since 1999, also will provide some solid competition.

Wayland’s men’s squad will be led by veterans Edward Taragon and Hildon Boen, with Julian Lopez, Lucius Lopez and Wyatt Landrum rounding out the strong five-man team.

Whitlock said if Taragon feels healthy Saturday, his team has a chance to capture its second SAC title in three years.

“If Edward’s tendonitis in his knee isn’t bothering him, he has a good chance to win the meet,” Whitlock said. “We’ve struggled with injuries this year and there is going to be some tough competition, but if we have a good day, we could win again this year.”

On the women’s side, Emileigh Willems will lead the Pioneers to what Whitlock expects to be a top-15 individual finish, which would qualify the freshman to race in the national championship meet in two weeks. Veterans Kristy Hannah, Melissa Cejas, Megan Robinett and Annysa Plata will have Willems’ back as the team tries to place in the top three, which Whitlock believes is very possible.

“We’re dealing with several injuries, with Chelsey Steele out for the season with a stress fracture,” he said. “She won’t be competing for us this weekend and Melissa has also been battling an injury, but she’s going to get out there and do her best. The girls are going to go out there and give it their best shot and I think they have a good chance to place probably either second or third.”

Depending on how they fare at the SAC Championships, the Pioneers could have a shot at competing in the NAIA National Championships, to be held Nov. 17 in Vancouver, Wash.